There are countless factors outside a farmer’s control — commodity markets, weather, consumer purchasing decisions — that affect supply decisions. Regardless of what obstacles are thrown your way, you can prepare for harvest by examining your lubricants and grease programs now. Using high-quality products, investing in an oil analysis and enrolling in a warranty program are all recommended as you prepare for your busiest season.
Use high-quality products
First-class lubricants begin with better base oils, which are crucial for providing a strong foundation. Quality lubricants stand apart from the rest thanks to the technology behind their complex additive packages.
- A premium oil resists oxidization more effectively than low-quality "yellow bucket" blends, meaning it provides better protection, lasts longer and needs replacing less often — even with constant exposure to air and high temperatures.
- A premium oil also provides more consistent durability, meaning you have less shear and viscosity breakdown during heavy-duty cycles and a better ability to combat water contamination.
- Premium oils also contain better detergents and dispersants to keep critical moving parts cleaner and prevent dirt and soot from causing excess wear.
In the short-term, better-quality oils help reduce operability issues in agricultural equipment, such as brake chatter and other disruptive stickiness that can take place in hydraulic pumps. In addition, premium lubricants minimize wear on the yellow metals that form the critical components of today’s high-tech equipment, allowing for efficient operation in the field.
Ensuring your equipment remains in good condition doesn’t stop with premium oils. Properly lubricating your equipment with grease is key to maintaining its longevity and reducing the chance of downtime for your operation. Before selecting a grease program for your equipment, it’s critical to identify your needs and check grease compatibility to ensure superior protection in the long term.
Invest in a LubeScan® used oil analysis
Consistent maintenance, specifically through regular used oil analyses, will help prolong the life of your equipment. A small sample of used engine oil can help determine the amount of wear and tear on your machinery — and warn you of any impending issues before they become disastrous.
Conducting an oil analysis is simple and straightforward.
- Purchase an oil analysis kit. Many Cenex® brand dealers sell LubeScan used oil analysis kits, which contain everything needed to run an analysis.
- Interpret your results. All LubeScan kits are sent to ALS, a global testing service where experts evaluate the oil sample to asses the health of your equipment.
- Fold your oil analysis into your regular maintenance schedule. Results are most useful when they can be compared to multiple samples from the same machine. We recommend analyzing diesel engines every 250 to 300 hours and gasoline engines every 3,000 miles.
Enroll in the Cenex Total Protection Plan®
To help farmers keep their equipment in top condition, many warranty programs include maintenance schedules with guidance for oil analyses and other checkups. The Cenex Total Protection Plan® warranty program offers coverage for both new and used equipment. Eligibility requirements are simple — just conduct the required oil analysis and use Cenex premium fuel, and if a machine breaks down, enrolled equipment is covered in full.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about quality Cenex lubricant products, a used oil analysis or the Cenex Total Protection Plan, contact your local Cenex dealer.